There`s many reasons to be optimistic about Tottenham Hotspur`s rise in recent seasons and the development of young players within the side. We`ve also seen considerable improvements in recruitment, moving away from the disastrous spree that followed the sale of Gareth Bale to Real Madrid, and things are looking very promising.
However, all is perhaps not entirely well in North London as Mauricio Pochettino`s continued decision to persist with French international Moussa Sissoko, who continues to struggle for our side two years after moving from Newcastle United.
A return of just one Premier League goal in 45 appearances is woeful for a player who cost a mammoth £30m when he left a recently-relegated Newcastle two-years ago and dropping him from the first-team picture is something that`s long overdue.
In the weekend`s 1-1 draw with Southampton, Sissoko struggled once again and it`s frustrating for us as fans to continue seeing him handed first-team opportunities, amidst links suggesting the likes of Bordeaux starlet Malcom and Paris Saint-Germain`s Lucas Moura are potential targets.
Even without the possibility of new recruits, the fact that Sissoko continues to earn regular opportunities is baffling. In the Premier League this season, only five Spurs players have featured in more games that the Frenchman- Eric Dier, Jan Vertonghen, Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min.
The injury issues for Erik Lamela have certainly not helped proceedings, and the hope is that the Argentine ousts Sissoko from his spot on the right side in the immediate future, but it does raise serious questions on Pochettino`s viewing of Sissoko.
It may be down to the fact that Pochettino sanctioned the move for the previously most expensive player in the club`s history and believes that his struggles are perhaps the only negative in the Argentine manager`s superb transfer history during his four years with the Lilywhites.
Only Davinson Sanchez, signed from Ajax last summer, has cost Pochettino and Spurs more in their history, so there may be a desperation from the South American for Sissoko to concede. However, it`s necessary to bite the bullet.
Having a flop signing is not the sign of a bad manager, as every boss has his black marks in the transfer window. The sign of a good manager, however, is assessing when it`s time to move on and focus on what`s better for the club.
I`m sure Pochettino and the rest of the Spurs fans would love it if Sissoko were to come good but it`s becoming increasingly clear that it`s not the case. He has been a flop and that`s not going to change.
It`s time to move on from Sissoko and Pochettino needs to come to a realisation before significant damage is done.
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